US5314424A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Surgical instrument locking mechanism
Assignee: United States Surgical Corp
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Filing: 1992-04-06
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Granted: 1994-05-24
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Expires: 2012-04-06
Abstract
Abstract An endoscopic or laparoscopic surgical instrument having an internally disposed locking mechanism located within a barrel portion of a handle assembly. The instrument includes a handle assembly having a pivoting handle and a stationary handle, a barrel portion to which an elongated body assembly is secured, and a locking mechanism for releasably positioning a tool mechanism located at the distal end of the body assembly. In one embodiment the locking mechanism comprises a trigger, a brake and a latch spring. In another embodiment the locking mechanism comprises a latch spring and a locking block. A rotational knob and locking member may also be provided to position the body assembly at various orientations to the longitudinal axis.
Inventors
- 👤 David A. Nicholas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 02:34
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/28; A61B17/29; A61B17/2909; A61B17/2812; A61B17/2833; A61B2017/2837; A61B2017/2926; A61B2017/2927; A61B2017/2929
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
An endoscopic or laparoscopic surgical instrument comprising: a handle assembly including a barrel portion, a stationary handle, and a pivoting handle; a body assembly having a pair of coaxial members attached at one end to said handle assembly, including an inner rod member slidable within an outer tube member in response to movement of said pivoting handle of said handle assembly, said body assembly terminating at an end remote from said handle assembly at which end is provided a reciprocatingly movable tool mechanism; and locking means positioned within said barrel portion of said handle assembly for locking said tool mechanism, said locking means being movable in a first direction a first distance to lock said tool mechanism, and being movable a second distance in said first direction to release said tool mechanism, said locking means being actuable independent of the movement of said pivoting handle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
An endoscopic or laparoscopic surgical instrument comprising: a handle assembly including a barrel portion, a stationary handle, and a pivoting handle; a body assembly having a pair of coaxial members attached at one end to said handle assembly, including an inner rod member slidable within an outer tube member in response to movement of said pivoting handle of said handle assembly, said body assembly terminating at an end remote from said handle assembly at which end is provided a reciprocatingly movable tool mechanism; and locking means positioned within said barrel portion of said handle assembly for locking said tool mechanism, said locking means being movable in a first direction a first distance to lock said tool mechanism, and being movable a second distance in said first direction to release said tool mechanism, said locking means being actuable independent of the movement of said pivoting handle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein said locking means comprises engaging means for selectively engaging said inner rod member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein said locking means comprises a pivoting braking means for engaging said inner rod member, a latch spring associated with said braking means, and a trigger mechanism for activating and deactivating said braking means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A surgical instrument according to claim 3, wherein said braking means locks said inner rod through frictional engagement of said braking means and said inner rod.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A surgical instrument according to claim 3, wherein said trigger mechanism is movable linearly in a plane parallel to said inner rod member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
77 words
A surgical instrument according to claim 3, wherein said trigger mechanism includes a camming surface, said braking means pivoting out of engagement with said inner rod member when said latch spring is out of engagement with said camming surface, and said latch spring locking said braking means in frictional engagement with said inner rod member when said camming surface is in contact with said latch spring so as to be in locking relationship with said latch spring.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
A surgical instrument according to claim 3, wherein said braking means is configured to permit linear movement of said inner rod member in a first direction when said locking means is engaged, and prevent movement of said inner rod member in a second direction opposite to said first direction when said locking means is engaged.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein said locking means is spring biased to a disengaged position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein said locking means is spring biased to an engaged position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
A surgical instrument according to claim 3, wherein said trigger is spring biased to a position where said locking means is disengaged when said latch spring is out of engagement with said camming surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
A surgical instrument according to claim 3, wherein said braking means includes an aperture which is in concentric alignment with said inner rod member when said locking means is disengaged, and said aperture is in eccentric alignment with said inner rod member to engage said inner rod member when said locking means is engaged.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
A surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein said locking means comprises a camming member having a retaining notch and a latch spring, said latch spring engaging said notch to lock said tool mechanism.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
A surgical instrument according to claim 12, wherein said locking means further comprises a release tab for releasing said latch spring, said release tab engaging said latch spring upon movement of said locking means in said first direction.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
A surgical instrument according to claim 12, said locking means further comprising a trigger member for advancing said camming member in relation to said latch spring to a locking position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
A surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein said locking means is secured to said inner rod member and includes a cam surface which engages a latch spring to lock said tool mechanism.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
A surgical instrument according to claim 1, further comprising electrical insulating means and electrocautery port means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-05-23 | 1997-11-22 | 1998-05-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-05-23 | 2001-11-22 | 2002-05-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-05-23 | 2005-11-22 | 2006-05-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |